Marshfield Area Community Foundation Celebrates 25 Years
Thursday, October 18th, 2018 -- 9:06 AM
(WDLB) -The Marshfield Area Community Foundation last night celebrated 25 years.The Foundation began in 1993 when former Mayor Marilyn Hardacre helped raise a 25-thousand dollar matching grant to go with 25-thousand dollars in seed money from Ann and Bette Adler. Today, current Director Amber Kiggens-Leifheit said the Foundation has 17-point-two million dollars and 215 funds each with its own identity and purpose.
"We've been involved in most of the good things you see in town. Wildwood Park Pavilion, Miller Park, Hackman Field, Graham Olsen Youth Baseball Field, Greasy Park, Weber Park, Thomas Park, Wenzel Family Plaza, the Bouson Tennis Complex, Disc Golf, the Marshfield Skate Park, Tiny Tigers Intergenerational Center, the Ace Academy, the Outdoor Learning Center at the high school and even the building you're sitting in now, the 2nd Street Community Center."
The new Everett Roehl Library and Community Center had been the Foundation's biggest project to date, until the Marshfield School District's athletic facilities update came along, to the tune of 11-million dollars--most of which is community donations and pledges. The non-profit Foundation serves as the fiscal agent for community projects, allowing donors to make tax-deductible contributions.
"We're happy to be the middle man and see all the great things we can do here in the community. Our mission is to improve the quality of life by connecting the people that care with the causes that matter."
Leifheit is the fourth Director in the Foundation's history. Bob Heck was the first Director, followed by Joyce Billings and then Dean Marquardt. Also last night, the Foundation gave out a 25-thousand dollar gift to the Marshfield Area Respite Care Center, which lost its former headquarters when the Wesley United Methodist Church was destroyed by fire Labor Day weekend. Director Marilyn Seidl-Kramer was surprised by the donation, but very grateful.
"I can't tell you how devastated I was, not only as my work, but also my church, so I spend a lot of time there. I'm still pretty devastated about the whole thing."
The Respite Care Center has currently found a new home in Faith Lutheran Church just a few blocks away from its previous location. Also last night, Leifheit announced that the Foundation would be moving into the 2nd Street Community Center--and she hopes to be moving in by the end of the year.
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